We are in the thick of summer now and when I say thick, I mean the air. Anyone else had a bad hair week? Well get ready to throw a hat on those tresses and get out and enjoy the weekend with your family. If it’s too sticky for your taste, we’ve got some indoor fun on the list as well and the best part – ALL FREE!

This week was also the start of many of the free movies, concerts, and more happening throughout the Valley so bookmark (or pin) our 2013 Summer Fun Guide and be sure to stay in the know about all the summer happenings.

Looking for even more? Check out our wonderful collection of maps. We’ve got one for Yard/Garage Sales as well as one for Farmer’s Markets and U-Picks. So no matter where you find yourself in the Tennessee Valley, you’ll be able to find good food and good bargains! Finally, while they can’t all make our top 5 list, we have oodles of extra free and fun family-friendly events on our full RCM Calendar so check it out!

Stevenson Depot Days

This long-running festival is billed as an old-fashioned celebration of Stevenson’s railway heritage and includes all kinds of family fun (all free). Parades, ice-cream socials, storytelling, clogging and a whole lot of music and that’s just Saturday! The fun on Saturday starts at 9AM and goes until midnight and all takes place in downtown Stevenson. On Sunday, the fun moves from downtown over to Stevenson city park but continues to provide lots of opportunities for a little family bonding. Maybe over some Pro Lawnmower races or Bug Blasts? Yes, it’s an hour away but we think it sounds like something worth checking out!

Summer Reading Kick-Off

Summer is in full swing and that means it’s time for Summer Reading! The entire Huntsville Madison County Public Library system is launching a summer program called “Dig Into Reading” and even if you’ve missed some of the other kick-off parties, you can make this one at Bailey Cove but get there on time or you might miss a show from Alabama Youth Ballet which starts promptly at 2PM. Learn all about the ballet and watch the dancers perform. Afterward, there will be a craft, a fun “hands on” science experiment, and refreshments.

Car Show & Family Festival

This popular family event, sponsored by Wheel Fix It, is now in its second year and expecting even larger crowds and greater success than 2012. We hope they’re right because all proceeds are benefiting a local non-profit called Real Fathers Make a Difference that is working hard to provide strong male role models to children who need them as well as educating young men about the important role fathers play in the family. Now that’s a cause that every Rocket City Mom can get behind! In addition to all the bikes, cars, and trucks on display, there will be a moon bounce, music, family entertainment, and plenty of food. This event was originally scheduled for May 4 and had to be rescheduled due to rain.

UCP 50th Anniversary Reunion

Another rescheduled event, this is an opportunity for the entire community to celebrate everything UCP Huntsville has done over the last 50 Years. Enjoy free food, entertainment, children’s activities, and fellowship as guests reconnect with each other and United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Huntsville and Tennessee Valley, Inc. All past and present UCP clients, client families, volunteers, board members, staff, community partners, telethon participants, are especially encouraged to attend.

United Way’s Summer Carnival

Tuesday, 4-7PM – FREELocations Vary (see below)

Games, Activities, Information, FREE BOOKS! Yes, we know this is technically not a weekend activity but it is super duper important AND concerns all public elementary school students in Madison County so we thought we’d bend the rules just a tad this one time. You can read a whole lot more about this event in our write-up from earlier this week but the main 411 is this: the United Way of Madison County is hosting a Summer Carnival dedicated to books and reading at three different and simultaneous locations across Madison County. Activities at each site include a moon bounce, snacks and cool beverages, fire, police, and HEMSI vehicles and staff, guest readers in a reading nook, and Sci-Quest activities. United Way will provide a bean bag toss, and students can vote in a “favorite summer book” competition, create art at a coloring station, and more.

Jennifer Breuer

Jennifer is the creator and co-editor of Rocket City Mom. She is also a compulsive writer, avid reader, occasional singer and former communications wizard turned toddler wrangler. You can often spot her and her little ones cruising the kiddie hot-spots in their "Rocket Van".

One Comment

NicoleJune 6, 2013 @ 9:16 AM

Do you know if anything like this is going on in Marshall County? It sounds fun! Me and my girls are going to the summer reading program. But I am all about books and reading. It is a fun past time in the hot & sticky weather.